When transferring intellectual property rights, merely signing the assignment is not sufficient for the transfer to be considered valid.

This assignment must also be “recorded” in the appropriate office which will depend on the type of IP being transferred. The recording of assignments on a global basis ensures not only that ownership of your intellectual property is properly listed, but also that the chain of title is available to the public. Like many mistakes in filing or transferring intellectual property, overlooking a proper transfer of IP, specifically on an international scale, can quickly become a costly mistake. Properly handling and navigating the world of intellectual property is an important tool in your company’s arsenal against infringement and establishing your place in the global market.